NEW MARKET BASEBALL HISTORY

 

·      Records indicate the team was established in 1914.

 

·      There was initially no field to play on so games were played at other parks. Usually just a back stop at the parks.

 

·      In 1955, Father Herman, the priest for St Nicholas Church, began building St. Nicholas Hillside Park. The field is on church property and is the same field the Muskies play on today.

 

·      That land was dedicated for a cemetery but land was too swampy for that.

 

·      The local farmers and town people help build the field and hauled in dirt and fill with their basic farm equipment.

 

·      Players would walk the field prior to games and throw rocks off the field to avoid baseballs from taking bad hops.

 

·      To this day, the field is still maintained by players and many local volunteers.

 

·      The field received a major face lift in 2008 with The Knights of Columbus raising funds to offset the costs, of improving the field, which badly needed attention. Some renovations included: new infield with sprinkler system, new dugouts, new fencing and refurbished bleachers.

 

·      New Market baseball Association was formed shortly after to help raise money to fund baseball teams, maintain the baseball field and continuing to improve the field and equipment at the field to support 7 baseball teams of all ages.

 

·      Some improvements that have been made are: new concession stand, new hitting cages, sprinkler system added to outfield, 15 loads of dirt added to outfield, reseeding of outfield, windscreen added to outfield fence and new fencing with gates and scoreboard.

 

·      The local people and businesses continue to take pride in the field and the teams by donating their time, efforts and money. Without them, none of the continued upgrades and basic maintenance would be possible.